A radar detector is a device motorists use to alert them of the use of police radar or laser in the vicinity. Essentially a radar detector is like a radio, that is tuned in to listen to the (microwave) frequency of police radar guns. A radar detector usually has a built in laser detector, however the effectiveness of a laser detector is somewhat useless, considering a police laser gun acquires your speed in around half a second. Most radar detectors that alert you to a police laser gun have in fact, just alerted you to receiving a speeding ticket. Radar detectors come in many brands, however there is a vast difference in quality between the cheap radar detectors and the more expensive radar detectors. The cheap radar detectors will both false alarm more often, as well as giving you far less warning on real radar or laser threats.
There are four different radar bands used; X-band, K-band, Ka-band and Ku-band in Europe. X-band is the first & oldest radar band and is obsolete and no longer used in most countries or states. K-band and Ka-band are the most popular and widely used radar bands with laser (also known as lidar) fast becoming the speed measuring tool of choice.
The precise “pencil-thin” laser beam is able to single out vehicles in heavy traffic and acts as a pointing tool, as opposed to radar which beams out everywhere, unable to distinguish between which of, say, a group of six cars are speeding. Radar will return a speed value of the highest reflection, not necessarily the fastest (or slowest) speed.
When choosing a radar detector, there are really only four choices: The Bel RX65 radar detector, the Bel STi radar detector, the Escort X50 (Passport 8500) radar detector and the Valentine One radar detector. These detectors represent the cream of the crop and offer the highest sensitivity of all brands and makes. Which of these radar detectors is for you depends upon your driving style, conditions, laws, features etc
The Bel RX65 radar detector is a great all round detector with voice alerts and SWS (safety warning system) plus Ku-band radar detection.
The Bel STi radar detector offers the same features as the RX65, but with increased sensitivity, an auto brightness but most importantly, is the only detector 100% invisible to police radar detector detectors (RDD’s).
The Escort Passport 8500 X50 is a high quality radar detector with exceptional sensitivity (especially on Ka-band radar) but like the RX65 is not invisible (stealth) to Police RDD’s.
The Valentine One radar detector, whilst not as sleek looking as the other units, is the only detector that tells you which direction the radar or laser signal is coming from (front, sides or rear). It also tells you how many different radar signals are present during an alert, which helps you identify a possible police radar operating at the same time as a false alarm (automatic opening door, petrol stations etc). The Valentine radar detector also has what’s agreed in the industry as the best laser detection of all radar detectors.
I am interested in Laser jammers, they are the big thing around where I live, Northern New South Wales. I want a jammer capable of dealing with th Lasers here in N.S.W. and QUEENSLAND (Australia), where I do most of my riding. Will the ‘LASER PRO PARK’ do the job for me? I noticed reading the information that their are two types; one that is easy to fit and the other that would need an auto electrician. I am interested in the easy fit model so that I could quickly swop it from my bike to the sports car. Your advice would be appreciated.
Regards, Bob Ferguson
information needed for court
Great post
Very informative, how do i get my hands on one of these devices before my wife sends me broke with fines.
Darrell
Robert - you can read up all all the different types of jammers at http://www.delonixradar.com.au/laser_jammers/
There are not two types as you say “one that is easy to fit and the other that would need an auto electrician” they both (LED based jammers and Diode based jammers) can be fitted by yourself.